Published
05/03/2026 Ã s 11:56
Recent research indicates that cosmic voids, giant regions of the universe located between galaxy clusters and considered for decades to be practically empty, actually contain energy associated with quantum fields and concentrate the action of dark energy responsible for the accelerated expansion of the cosmos.
Scientists have discovered that cosmic voids, regions of the universe seemingly devoid of stars and galaxies, are not actually empty. Research indicates that these spaces contain energy associated with quantum fields and so-called dark energy.
The discovery alters the traditional perception of these regions of the universe. For a long time, cosmic voids were considered vast expanses devoid of matter between galaxy clusters, but recent studies show that these areas play a fundamental role in the structure and evolution of the cosmos.
What are cosmic voids and why did they appear completely empty?
Cosmic voids are large regions located between galaxy clusters and typically contain extremely low amounts of visible matter. These areas contain almost no stars, galaxies, or detectable radiation.
Recommended for you
Fairs and events
A major event for the oil, gas, and energy sector will take place in Brazil: Macaé Energy will bring together Petrobras, Equinor, Prio, and other suppliers and executives from the energy sector for business, networking, and job opportunities.
The technical agenda and trade fair in the city of Macaé should boost discussions about investments, energy transition, and the development of the oil, gas, and energy supply chain in the national context. The city…
This appearance led scientists, for decades, to believe that these regions were essentially empty. However, advances in modern physics indicate that, even where there is almost no matter, space is not truly devoid of physical activity.
Quantum field theory suggests that the vacuum itself contains energy. According to this approach, space is filled with quantum fields that exist throughout the universe, including in the most remote cosmic voids.
Quantum fields are present even in the emptiest regions of the universe.
According to quantum field theory, particles such as electrons and neutrinos are not fundamental isolated entities. They are interpreted as excitations or vibrations that arise within fields that permeate all of spacetime.
These quantum fields have existed since the Big Bang and cannot be removed from the universe. Even in regions where there is no visible matter, such as in cosmic voids, these fields remain present.
This means that seemingly empty space still contains fundamental physical activity. Although not directly perceptible, the very structure of spacetime holds energy associated with these fields.
The relationship between cosmic voids and dark energy.
NASA explains that dark energy is considered the force responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. In regions with a high concentration of matter, such as galaxy clusters, gravity tends to dominate the local dynamics.
However, in cosmic voids the opposite occurs.
In these regions, where matter is extremely scarce, the influence of dark energy, or so-called vacuum energy, becomes more evident.
The US space agency suggests that this mysterious component may be related to so-called vacuum energy, a theoretical form of energy that permeates all of space.
In the cosmic voids, this energy exerts a dominant influence on the dynamics of the universe.
How cosmic voids influence the expansion of the universe.
The identification of dark energy as a central factor in the expansion of the universe occurred in the late 1990s. At the time, scientists observed that galaxies were moving away from each other at a faster rate than predicted.
These observations indicated the presence of an invisible component driving this cosmic acceleration.
Today it is understood that cosmic voids are regions where the effects of dark energy manifest with greater intensity.
Furthermore, these regions are not static structures. The cosmic voids continue to expand over time and, in doing so, directly influence the large-scale organization of matter in the universe.
The role of cosmic voids in the future structure of the universe.
As they expand, cosmic voids exert pressure on the matter that surrounds them. This process stretches the so-called cosmic web formed by galaxies and clusters of galaxies distributed throughout the universe.
Over billions of years, this continuous expansion may contribute to the slow disintegration of currently observed cosmic structures. The vacuum energy present in cosmic voids will continue to drive the expansion of the universe.
According to the cited research, this process tends to intensify the separation between large cosmic structures. In this way, cosmic voids not only occupy vast regions of space, but also play a decisive role in the evolution of the universe.